Lehigh Valley Hospital hosts annual veterans breakfast
Nov. 13—SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Veterans gathered for a hearty, communal meal Saturday at the traditional Veterans Day breakfast hosted by Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill.
After a two-year pandemic-related hiatus, the event returned for its 21st edition — this time at the LVHN Sports Performance Center at Schuylkill Haven Area School District. About 165 veterans turned out for the occasion, enjoying time with their comrades-in-arms while helping themselves to steaming platters of eggs, bacon, rolls and other breakfast items prepared by Hess Catering.
LVH-Schuylkill has traditionally hosted the breakfast at its East Norwegian Street campus, but switched venues this year due to concerns over the pandemic.
Regional Chief Medical Officer Lawrence M. Riddles greeted guests and thanked them for their service as they entered the building. Several of the guests extended the sentiment to Riddles, a retired Air Force colonel with 35 years of active duty.
"I think anything that acknowledges specifically the military's retirees — which is what Veterans Day is for — is well-earned," said Riddles, who was a physician in the Air Force. "Not to get too (philosophical), but the society we live in now and the freedoms we have were paid for by these people. There are a lot of places, a lot of things, that would be different if the military hadn't been there."
M. Michael Peckman, director of marketing and public affairs for LVH-Schuylkill, said he was "really pleased" with the turnout given the circumstances.
The veterans dined at tables adorned with floral decorations from Freed's Flowers, while a nearby projector played a slideshow of scenes from previous Veterans Day breakfasts hosted by LVH-Schuylkill. As a further touch, the veterans were given special thank-you notes written by students at Saint Clair Area Elementary School.
Dennis Wiederhold, 77, of Port Carbon, attended the event with his brother, Guy Wiederhold, 75, of Mill Creek.
"Schuylkill County is a veterans county," said Guy Wiederhold, who served for three years in the Army, including a three-month stint in Vietnam. "Living proof of that is way back when we wanted to start the Schuylkill County Vietnam memorial. We got together with the Pottsville Republican, and we raised (over $100,000), enough to build the memorial and sustain it."
Dennis Wiederhold, a 1962 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, served in the Navy from 1964-68, participating in three tours of duty in Vietnam. He said he is grateful for the variety of veteran-focused events in Schuylkill County.
"We're fortunate that people around here care about veterans," he said.
The Wiederholds are members of several veterans groups, such as the American Legion, which provided a flag display at the breakfast showcasing all of the branches of the armed forces.
Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill President William "Bill" Reppy said he was pleased with the success of the event.
"It's a thrill to be here," said Reppy, who served six years in the Navy as a health care worker. "You look around, they're smiling, they're happy, they're appreciative. It's probably one of the best days of the year for us as a hospital, to be able to give back and just see their smiling faces."
Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085
